FIRE SAFETY AND PREVENTION

In 2017, there were 3,400 fire related deaths in the United States. At William Mattar, our accident injury attorneys understand how devastating fires and burn injuries can be. That’s why we want to do everything we can to spread the message of fire safety and help prevent house fires and burns in New York. Learn important fire safety facts, get tips on how to prevent fires and avoid burn injuries, and find out about our initiatives and giveaways during Fire Safety Month this October.

Free Smoke Detectors During Fire Safety Month

Pictured above are Tom Young and Chris Young, from Ed Young’s True Value Hardware, with William Mattar.

October is Fire Safety Month, and the William Mattar Fire Safety Program wants to remind New Yorkers to take proper precautions to keep their homes safe from fire. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), properly installed and maintained smoke alarms are vital for reducing fire-related deaths and injuries. The NFPA reports that 3 of every 5 home fire deaths results from fires in homes with no smoke alarms or no working smoke alarms.

We have a special program in partnership with a neighborhood store near our principal office in Buffalo, NY. During the month of October, we’re giving away certificates redeemable for one smoke detector at Ed Young’s True Value Hardware at 5641 Main Street in Williamsville. Sign up and get yours today to keep your family safe. *Supplies are limited. Certificates must be redeemed in person at Ed Young’s to receive your free smoke detector. William Mattar staff and their families are not eligible for this program.

If you signed up to receive your free smoke detector certificate, it must be redeemed by November 2, 2019.

Thank you very much for the free 10-year smoke alarm at Ed Young’s True Value! Your sponsorship of the smoke detectors during Fire Prevention Week is a wonderful community event and very much appreciated. – Kathy L, West Seneca, NY

Fire Safety Facts and Statistics

Did you know that fire departments respond to as many as 400,000 home fires every year? According to the National Fire Prevention Association, tens of thousands of people are injured and more than $6 billion dollars in property damage occurs every year because of house fires.

Accidents while cooking are the leading cause of home fires in the U.S. Two of every five home fires starts in the kitchen.

Improper supervision, maintenance, and usage of heaters and home heating elements is the second leading cause of house fires in the United States.

A working smoke alarm cuts the risk of dying in a house fire by half.

One easy safety precaution you can take to prevent house fires is to never leave cooking unattended. Another easy way to prevent injuries and deaths from house fires is to install smoke alarms in every bedroom, outside every sleeping area, and on every floor of your house. Check your smoke alarms periodically to make sure they function properly and have fresh batteries. William Mattar wants every family in Western New York to be safe, which is why we give away free smoke alarms every year throughout the month of October.

Home Heating Safety Tips

As the temperature drops and Western New Yorkers face unpredictable weather, many rely on space heaters, fireplaces, and other types of home heating appliances to keep warm during the frigid winter months. As important as it is to stay warm, it’s also extremely important to follow safety guidelines in order to prevent house fires.

Here are a few quick and easy safety tips to help ensure you and your family stay safe and warm this winter:

Be sure the front, back, and sides of your heater are clearHalf of all deaths caused by heating equipment fires happen because something that is flammable is too close to the heater. Make sure items such as upholstered furniture, clothing, mattresses, bedding, curtains, area rugs, and anything that can burn are placed a safe distance from any heat source.

Have your fireplace or stove professionally cleanedA flammable substance called creosote builds up on the insides of chimneys and wood burning stoves and can ignite if your stove or chimney isn’t properly maintained. Schedule an inspection with a chimney cleaning service once every year and perform any necessary cleaning or maintenance before using your fireplace or stove.

Call your gas company and schedule an inspectionGas fireplaces and gas heating systems should be inspected by your gas utility once a year to determine unsafe conditions, such as leaks that may cause fires or carbon monoxide poisoning. In many cases the safety inspection is free.

Install a carbon monoxide detector
Any heating device that burns fuel emits carbon monoxide, including kerosene, propane, wood, gas, and other types of fuel. If not properly ventilated this colorless and odorless gas can cause a wide range of dangerous injuries and even death. Never use fuel-burning heaters in small, enclosed spaces and always install a carbon monoxide detector.

Following simple safety precautions when heating your home can help you avoid fire safety hazards, protect your property, and save lives.

Support Your Local Volunteer Fire Department

William Mattar encourages supporting local volunteer fire departments that help protect our community. The need for donations and volunteer firefighters is greater than ever.

The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) reports that there are 783,300 volunteer firefighters in the United States with volunteers comprising the majority of fire departments, especially in small and mid-sized communities. There has been a 13% decrease in the number of volunteers since 1984. The council attributes this decrease to several factors, including diminished community focus on volunteering and community pride, increased time spent on the job and commuting, as well as increasing training requirements for volunteer firefighters. Even though volunteer numbers have been decreasing, the demand of fire departments is increasing with call volume up nearly three times compared to 25 years ago.

By joining your local volunteer company you can make an important difference in your community and provide firefighting and emergency medical services to your neighbors in their time of need. If you are unable to volunteer, please consider making a donation to support your local volunteer firefighters.